Interview: Dubai’s Punjabi RnB Sensation ‘FLINT J’

Flint J is the latest Punjabi Artist to hit the music circuit. With his debut single ‘Dance Soniye’ he springs on to the scene with an exciting new sound & a distinctive urban style, followed by Aashiqan De, the biggest heartbreak ever! His musical preferences are Punjabi, Hip Hop, RnB, Dance, House, Techno, Dance Hall. Having moved from the United Kingdom at an early age, Flint J resided in Dubai where he wrote and composed his first album ‘ADDICTION’.

DubaiBliss.com caught up with Flint J in Dubai for an exclusive interview..

When did you first start singing?
I was 12 when I started singing and performing, but I professionally started recording when I turned 22. As soon as I finished high school I knew singing was something I wanted to get into. I thought to myself, it’s time to explore and expand and that’s when I knew I wanted to take my passion for singing further.

Who are your musical inspirations?
Music itself is an inspiration, although there are many musicians which have influenced me such as Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, B21 and Pitbul, I mainly get inspired by the situations that either I am in or the people around me are in.

Any loves, other than music?
Yes, going to the gym everyday. Apart from music, gym is the only other thing I cannot live without. Even when I’m ill, it is a must that I go.

What does Flint J stands for? How does Flint J differentiate from Imran Khan as an Artist?
Flint is a unique stone which was used to create fire in the era when there was no concept of gas. I planned to create fire with my music and I think I have done that! Talking about Imran Khan, he is a great artist- in regards to how I differentiate- I think my music speaks for itself.

What songs are on your iPod playlist?
Many, there isn’t one particular genre I listen to. I have music by Micheal Jackson, Lil Wayne, Pitbul, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Jay Sean, 2 Chainz, T-pain, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, RDB, B21, Bollywood and last but not least, my own songs.
What’s next from Flint J? Album, Single or Tours??
Singles definitely for now. Performances for 2014 are being finalised in UK, Pakistan and India by my management as we speak!

Where would you most like to perform?
The UK and India are the two places I would love to perform. I have a big fan base in both places and I know my fans are waiting for me to perform live for them.
Who would you most like to open for?
RDB and Pitbul.

If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing?
Finding a way to create an opportunity to sing!

Do you play any instruments?
Yes, I have recently started to play the keyboard, still in the learning phase though.
If you could dabble in another genre of music, what would it be?
I love experimenting with music, I think this is one of the things which set me aside from some other artists- I’m not scared to try something new.
Although my genre of my music is Punjabi within that I have created tracks and dabbles with R n B, Hiphop, Dance, Electro.

What genre of music can’t you stand to listen to?
None, every genre has something or the other to offer to its fans and a learning to every musician.

Apart from performing, what hidden talents do you have?
A few more, but I would like them to stay hidden 😉 haha!

In Dubai, how do you see the music scene? What advice would you give to the upcoming musicians?
The Dubai music scene is growing rapidly. We see many BIG shows happening in Dubai. It is the hub for various music genres like Punjabi, Desi, Bollywood, English, Arabic and many others too. The advice I would give to upcoming musicians would be: don’t give up and stay true to yourself.

Your message to DubaiBliss.com viewers?I would like to thank each and every fan and supporter of mine for all the love and respect they have shown towards me and my music from day one. That also includes people in media who have given me the chance to shine. My ideology is very simple and very clear ‘No Fans, No Flint J’. I am because of my fans. So Keep supporting, keep it real and keep Flintin’.